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Ellis C. Whitby, AIA, PE, CSI, LEEDŽ AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby

Post Number: 46
Registered: 03-2003
Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 - 02:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Some of our designers are planning to use aluminum floor tile in some elevators (I was told that "stainless steel is too industrial". Is there an indistry standard for durability that would apply to such a use? Does anyone have experience with such an application?

I am concerned that the floor would show wear very quickly.
Kenneth C. Crocco
Senior Member
Username: kcrocco

Post Number: 131
Registered: 04-2003
Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 - 04:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

We specified aluminum flooring for a student facility at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago; the McCormick Tribune Campus Center. This facility has been in operation for 4-5 years, opening in 2003. There is an aluminum plate floor and aluminum plate flooring for interior steps. This was a custom installation at the time of design (2001). The company that manufactured the floor has since offered the product for architectural projects. I haven't been back to the student center for a number of years now, but perhaps you can contact someone there to see how things are holding up.
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick

Post Number: 857
Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Friday, March 07, 2008 - 05:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

There was a rep for various interiors products here in our office just this week showing, among other things, a sheet aluminum tile and base. I don't remember the manufacturer. It has an anodized finish, to which I opined that it seemed as though it would show wear, and noting that most aluminum in floor-related products is mill finish. The rep agreed that it would show wear patterns, but wasn't concerned about the anodizing wearing off. I don't know, myself. I would think that an elevator would be one of the highest possible wear conditions besides just inside the door of a New England office building (salt and sand and all that.)
Vivian Volz, RA, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: vivianvolz

Post Number: 103
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 05:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Funny, that just turned up in our office, too. I believe ours has a mechanical finish, though, not anodized. I was concerned about slip-resistance, but was assured that it's in the range we usually accept.

I agree that aluminum will be vulnerable to chemical discoloration and scratching. I suppose you then ask yourself what wear patterns and discoloration patterns would be acceptable, and what maintenance routine would be acceptable. If you can buff it once a quarter and it looks bright and new again, is that acceptable? That would beat any floor you have to re-seal with a coating. Hmm, maybe I'll get four sample tiles and put them under my chair for three months and see how they look.

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